Discussion Week 2
I just started a new Teaching job in a very low-performing preK-8th grade Buffalo Public School located in one of the poorest neighborhoods in Buffalo’s inner city. The atmosphere in the school is wild, unsafe – for Students and Teachers, and chaotic. The previous Administration was removed last Spring, by the NYS Department of Education for unacceptable academic performance and a lack of discipline. Before teaching in Buffalo, I never even considered that school could be an unsafe environment to be in, which in my opinion negates the possibility of learning. I have started over at a different BPS school every year for 4 years now, and once more it will take a extraordinary effort to change the environment in this school, teach the students how to behave properly, make the school a safe haven, earn the students’ trust, and then perhaps start teaching.
Behaviorist learning theory is very evident in my classroom, my school, and my district. The environment in the classroom and the school definitely shapes the behavior Smith (1999). I will spend the 1st month of school continually stating my classroom expectations, establishing my boundaries of proper behavior and student responsibility, and working with the parents, my peers, and the administration to demonstrate that the “old way” of being wild will not continue. In my school, we have started to implement PBIS, a program that promotes and rewards good behavior. From my experience, there are 2 things that will initially effect if this program establishes a footing -
1. A complete buy-in and united effort by the entire staff
2. A reward system that the students actually care about.
The current conditions are very stressful and demanding, and with large class sizes, a lot of new staff, the unsafe environment, and a lack of team planning time, it will be almost impossible to establish the PBIS initiative. Due to the school’s history and reputation along with a very limited budget, I’m not sure that we can establish a reward system that will be seen as important to the students. Students behave when they know they are going to be recognized and rewarded for their efforts and good behavior.
I agree with Dr. Orey that concentrating on reinforcement is much more effective than punishment when it comes to establishing or changing student behavior. The key to reinforcement is to emphasize appropriate behavior, and to not focus on the punishment of the students that don’t behave correctly. I try to always remain positive and unwavering in my classroom management, and to continually discuss my expectations with my students regarding their behavior. When students know what is expected of them, I think that it promotes a safe and comfortable environment for them to be and participate in. The real problem in my classroom regarding establishing behavior and reinforcement is that I have to spend so much time correcting inappropriate, dangerous, and negative behavior by quite a few students. That leaves a group of students that would like to go forward and learn, but unfortunately don’t get my time because they aren’t causing conflict. Although it hasn’t happened in my classroom yet, if these “good” students get sick of getting no attention and being bored, they may reason that joining the others at least draws attention to them. We are 6 days in to our school year, and I know many of my student’s names, unfortunately I only really know the names of those students that caused trouble. Even though I feel bad for my many students who are eager to learn and participate, I can’t go forward and do projects if I haven’t established a safe classroom. My average class size is 31 7th and 8th grade Technology students.
References:
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2010). [Webcast]. Behaviorist Learning Theory. Baltimore: Author
Pitler H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD
Smith, K. (1999). The behaviourist orientation to learning. In The encyclopedia of informal education. Retrieved from http://www.infed.org/biblio/learning-behavourist.htm
I can feel your concern. I too work in an inner city school and we are a school of choice. However, we only seem to get students that get kicked out of other schools due to their behavior problems. We try to be positive and feel like the change will make them better but it does not always happen that way. There are three boys in my current class that continually act out and it seems they get more attention and yet they cause disruption of the regular instruction. I have found that if I can find a subtle but quiet way to let them know their behavior is unacceptable I am able to continue with instruction. I teach third graders and they respond to positive comments quick. If I see a student doing what is expected I say something like, "Thank you Jane for doing what I asked." Usually you will see students not on task very quickly get on task and then wait for their reward. (If you do not acknowledge their actions when they are on task this becomes useless.) Another strategy I have used is to place a sticky note on their desk when I observe specific behaviors. They will question at first why you put it there but when you are no longer giving direct instruction you can address the student one on one. This can be used for both positive and negative behaviors. Students that constantly receive negative feedback become immune to its effects. Trying to find positive ways to respond can be difficult; but when we do, they usually prove to be effective.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like your students are responding to the stimuli they have been around for years. Using the PBIS program will hopefully be effective for your school. It is ashamed to hear that you feel the environment is unsafe. Just think about how some of the students must feel. I realize the economy is bad and money is not present to reward students with tangible goods; however, they will respond to other privileges. I am not sure what grade level you teach, but allowing students to work on a merit system and then have a special event, dance, popcorn and a movie (at school), or even a pep rally where students have to earn their ticket is one way I have seen some schools motivate the students to perform. I wish you luck in your new position.
I think you are doing great work at your school. I was in a similar situation when I started teacher 6 years ago. The administration could not control the herself, let alone the school. This was the first year that our district implemented K-8 schools. Being one of three 7th grade teachers, we were on our own for am discipline issues. We had to implement our own discipline procedures along with a reward system. It was a long year, but the students had a safe learning environment with boundaries. It turned out the most problematic students were the most helpful and eager to participate in class.
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